Ad­di­tion­al fund­ing

Funding opportunities for social participation

With the aim of promoting equity of opportunity in international mobility, the Erasmus+ programme offers the possibility to apply for additional funding if you meet the eligibility criteria. Here, the National Agency DAAD has defined target groups for whom supplementary support options are available.

For more information, please refer to our information on Social Participation in Mobility.

The following groups have the option to apply for the monthly Social Top-Up:

Students with disabilities or chronic illnesses

If you can provide proof of a degree of disability (GdB) of at least 20, you have the opportunity to apply for a Social Top-Up. Alternatively, you can submit a real-costs application to support your stay. The same applies to chronic illness if additional costs arise due to the illness requiring overseas study.

Studying abroad with child(ren)

If you conduct your entire study abroad with your own child(ren), you can apply for a monthly Social Top-Up.

First-generation students

If your parents do not have an academic degree, you can apply for this Social Top-Up.

Employed students

If you have been employed (at least) in the last 6 months before your study abroad to support your livelihood and cannot continue this employment during your study abroad, you can apply for this Social Top-Up. During the minimum period of employment prior to application, monthly earnings must be over €450 and under €850. Excluded are usually activities carried out as self-employment and dual/occupationally integrated study programmes with a fixed salary.

Application Process

Applications are made via a form provided with your Grant Agreement from your academic coordination. This includes a declaration of honour as well as, depending on the category, corresponding evidence requirements. Further information on this will be provided during the application process.

Notes on Social Top-Ups:

Applying for the Top-Ups is optional. The Top-Ups are paid in addition to the regular mobility grant. The amount of the Top-Ups is €250 per month (calculated on a daily basis). The Social Top-Ups are not combinable, only one of these Top-Ups can be applied for.

Opportunities for Sustainable Mobility Funding (Green Travel)

If you travel to and from your destination using sustainable transportation such as trains or buses, you can apply for special funding under the Green Travel scheme. The application must be submitted to the International Office before the start of your stay. You will receive the application form as an annex to your Grant Agreement from your academic coordination.

For more information on HU's sustainability strategy and the offerings of the Erasmus+ Programme, please visit our website.

Real-Cost Funding for Disability, Chronic Illness, or Travelling with a Child

You can apply for real-cost funding to support your stay if your disability or chronic illness incurs additional costs due to your travel abroad.

Similarly, students travelling with their child can also apply for real-cost funding to cover the additional expenses incurred abroad. This support is intended to cover the extra costs incurred for the child(ren), such as travel, accommodation, or childcare.

As various documents are required for such an application and processing time typically takes several months, interested students should apply early (preferably at the time of applying for an Erasmus placement).